Mark helps Sherri!!

YAY!!! I'm 100% set up with a picture and everything...thanks to Mark!! He got me all hooked up correctly on this bloggin business! THANKS!!!!!! Now I can easily blog and post whenever I want. So I promise to be better. Things here in good ol St. George have been pretty much same as usual. Good, but normal:)  I'm not going to say much right now because I just finished making 300 cupcakes and I have to get ready for the General YW broadcast. But I am officially set up so I will be posting! This will entice you to check back often:) HAPPY EASTER to you all. Love- SIS

happy anniversary

Rick and I are celebrating our 4th anniversary today. Saturday we went to the Bountiful Temple...he was so cute as we had snow and cold temperatures just as we did 4 years ago. He said he wanted it to be just like it was on our wedding day. We had a wonderful weekend and I got to spend an extra night as I had a meeting in SLC on Monday. I am so happy he asked me to marry him. As we look forward to retirement and serving a mission together, life takes on a new excitement. We wonder how we will get through the next 9 months now that we have made up our mind to move forward!!! I am starting to get back into doing some genealogy. I found that the church has my dad and my great grandfather on my mother's side as the same person. trying to get it straightened out so I can actually see where I am with getting temple work done for my ancestors. Wouldn't it be fun if I had a name of an ancestor for each of you to take to the temple when Jeff and Kayla come home this summer? I would love that. I am surprised how much work I have really done. I had forgotten. Sue Mason and I worked on my lines many many years ago. Well, not much time this morning, on my way to work, but wanted to see if anyone is reading or writing on our family blog anymore. I guess I am the only one left now. I suppose since many of you do facebook, blogging isn't as much fun. However, I would love to see an update. Hope all is well with my kids and grandkids. Love, Mom P.S. I was hopeful that Mark or Angela would brag a little, but I guess I will have to tell everyone..in case you haven't heard...Angie got the supervisor's job!!!!!!!!!!1 Isn't she awesome? I am so proud of her. It is not easy to do what she and Mark have done at Select Health. I know first hand. They are making their mark and it is because they are smart, they work hard and they trust in the Lord. Jeff...your turn next. It will happen. Love you all.

keep those blogs coming

How I am enjoying those blogs from Mark and Jeff. I wish I could see some from the rest of our family. I laugh and cry at the same time when I am reading. I think about how often (every single day of my life) my sons were mad at me because I gave them chores. I think they hated me at the time and although I truly needed help, I was also trying to teach them good work habits. It paid off in the end, but whoa! it was sure work. Don't let up when they cry and give you a hard time. Making beds, Helping with home chores are absolutely so vital to learning how to take care of yourself and a home later in life. Now, as to Jeff's idea for starting a hospital, that is all fine and dandy...surprised he didn't think of me for a nurse. I have been a nurse now for over 45 years and he didn't even mention that. I also have good news. My boss told me this week I am eligible to retire end of the year or come January 9, 2014 when I turn the ripe old age of 65. I will qualify for my year end bonus and for medicare at the same time. So, let it be known that Rick and I will be turning in mission papers and hope to leave shortly thereafter. It is hard to believe since I have worked outside the home most of my life and I have never lived with Rick since we were married. Less than 9 months from now we will get to live together and be headed on that mission that we have always talked about. Hard to believe. Then when we come home, I will get to be a full time homemaker again...cook and bake and do what I want, when I want. I am getting very excited and anticipate the day. It will be a little hard as I do love my job and it has been a great ride, but I know it is time. Well, next week at this time, Mason and Connley will be visiting Grandma and Mark and Angela will be playing in the snow at Brian Head. I am excited to have my granddaughters come see me. I haven't had anyone visit for awhile. Everyone is too busy these days. That will be the nice thing about retirement. Rick and I will be able to travel and go to the temple when we want and visit our family and just do what we want...I have never had that luxury nor has he. Ok, well, just an updated weather report. Cold and rainy in St. George. 40 and 50's...Rick worked in back yard and took a walk. I made him lasagna for dinner tonight and chocolate chip cookies. You get the idea. I am a fair weather fan and can't wait for the 78 degree weather they are predicting for later this week. I know you think I am lazy, but I keep busy doing house stuff while he does outdoor stuff. We are a good fit...I do outside stuff when it warms up...you know 90's...love you all and can't wait until we can get together this summer. I told Sherri this week we need a concrete idea for McKenna so Jeff and Kayla can make their plans. Will be here before you know it. Then of course, we will need everyone coming to a farewell for Mom and Rick early next year. Yikes....we would like to serve in Kirtland, Ohio. Do you think the Lord would allow that? Maybe so.Rick is reading up on it just in case. Love, MOM

The grass is always greener...where it rains

I really love reading about the family. Mom, keep on Mike. One day when we look back I want to be able to read all of our words and experiences. Not to mention I have no idea what's going on with my nephews and niece in Boise. I have to say I'm not surprised with them wanting to hire Angela. I believe that they will be wise and hire her like they did Mark if they want to survive Obamascare. I have an idea. Let's start a hospital. Brett will be the the doctor. Sher the chef. Mom CEO and admin. Mark and Ang will run billing and accounts. Mike marketing. Catherine will deliver babies. Dave will be over pharmaceuticals. Kayla will be physical therapist and recovery. And i came up with the idea so I'm done. Oh yea, Rick will raise the funds with all his contacts in government. Just say when. We have all heard the phrase "April showers bring May flowers", well here in the south it's more like February monsoons bring muddy mud puddles and cancelled soccer practice and wet shoes at work. Back to my title of my post. So you all know I coined that phrase and I'm writing a book and one of the chapters will be titled the same. I am building a website right now to be a motivational speaker for high schools, middle schools, adoption agencies, and churches. Its about solving equations for X, Y, And U. I will be posting more in the next few weeks. I have thought about this for years and have always put it off because I was waiting until the perfect time...but I can't wait any longer. I have a message to share, I love the youth, and I know how to market. So Y not. I am also pushing the exports more and....resigned from the school. I know I know...mom just pooped a little bit in her pants. It's been prayed about and fasted about and this is best. I left on great terms and they said to come back whenever. I already signed up with the substitution agency and I can go in any day. The funny thing is, if I went to my exact same position, at my desk, in my class, I would get paid weekly, $15 an hour and no staff work days, and flexible. Now I walk away with $6.50, unflexible, and extra hours. So, I will be subbing occasionally but like Red says in the Shawshank Redemption. "You either get busy living or get busy dying". Well I was busy alright, but not progressing at all. We are excited. Keep us in your prayers. If all else fails, then I get my masters in teaching and could get a job in either district. Mark, thanks for the advice on Cru. I try working with him and I know it's good. He is one track minded and wants to win. If it were n the backyard, which it is, I wouldn't be so embarrassed. But when all the parents are watching and his teammates, I give him the look so he knows what's coming. I remember those pine wood derby's. I remember one specific year when we were in the basement and I was sanding my wheels and nails/axels and I told you that you sould do it as well. You would not and I thought, I'm going to beat him. I remember thinking after I won, I told you so, and maybe even said it. But I remember mom nor you being that happy. I am sorry to both of you. I see my day coming soon where all my boys will be cutting, sanding, painting, winning, losing, and crying coming soon. I have been writing this since Sunday. I just need to post it already. Keep us in the loop with dates for vacation out there this summer. I will write again Sunday. I have much more to say. Go Bucks!

A few thoughts...

Mom - As far as we have been told the age is 12 now or at least in our stake. I didn't even know about it, actually would tune out the trek talk during bishopric meetings, until the young women's leadership came to us and said, hey Mason's birthday is the week of the Trek or something close and we are planning on her going so we would like her to start attending the planning meetings to be prepared. So we are going off of that fact that they told us she should be going. I will find out this Sunday to confirm though.

Jeff- I have thought a lot about your question about Cru's competitiveness. I do not see a problem with it. We were competitive as kids, and I think that kind of competitive nature equals drive when they learn to harness it. Think of it like a poisonous snake, the babies are the most dangerous because they cannot control their venom, where as the adult snakes have learned and are less likely to just bite down and never letting go. I have the exact opposite problem you have, my kids have zero competitiveness or drive to win, thus they would rather not even compete. Although this past week I am seeing sparks of it in Connley. My kids struggled in soccer because they just didn't care. They weren't aggressive and when it came to sticking with it they didn't want to keep playing because they were indifferent too winning, losing, or even competition. Of course Cru will need to learn to lose and win with grace, but that comes with time more than being forced or told. Right now his natural instinct is to get mad or cry and that is an emotion that swells within him and at his age is very difficult to hold back. I think keep teaching the lessons and talking about it, but don't get too upset with him. I was always second or third fiddle in our family, I hated losing, but as I grew I have learned to harness those emotions. Now I have the drive when it matters, but more importantly am able to better discern what does and does not matter. As a kid though it was very hard to control, especially since my brothers were always winning, putting more pressure on me. Speaking of which, I loved the pine wood derby. I took third every year, first when it was David and I, he took first and I got third and best of show. The next year, I took third again, and Jeff won first. Sure I was disappointed, but I  was always in the mix, and if I am going to lose I both hate and love that I lost to my brothers. Today, Pine Wood Derby memories are some of my favorite. I just don't think at a young age kids should be expected to control their emotions 100%, no matter how frustrating it is as parents to have them throw fits. Just be happy he cares, because later in life that personality is more successful, I think.

I say all of this because it is easier to do so from the outside looking in. If I could figure out how to keep Mason from going to school crying just about every morning then that would be a miracle. Picking out an outfit takes the entire morning, and many tears are shed. She is not a morning person, and even more difficult she is VERY particular about what she wears. She pretty much wears the same 5-6 outfits every week, because the rest of her clothes "feel funny". Oh kids, such joys and such worries all at once. I cannot wait for the teen years! Lately, I feel like my kids are becoming spoiled as well. I don't feel they are spoiled because of all the things we buy them, because we don't do that too much, but they are work adverse and take so many things for granted. When I ask them to wash 10 dishes you would think I asked them to build a new addition on the house. Ten measly dishes are so difficult! And if I say you have to do your chores before....watching TV, playing with friends, or using the computer...WHAT?! How could I be so mean. I have allowed my kids to become lazy with so many things like making their beds every morning, and they have so few chores that I think they are becoming spoiled from lack of work. It is sad, and we are trying to make changes. I am sure every generation thinks their kids are a little more spoiled than the last, but there are things that should not be so difficult, such as washing dishes, making beds, picking up after yourself, cleaning your room, and on and on. I need a bigger house, just so I can make them do more chores. I need a hundred trees so they have to rake leaves all year, or a bigger yard so they have to mow for a few hours a day, or more bathrooms and rooms in general so Saturday morning chores go into the afternoon as well. I hated it as a kid, but value it now as an adult. Thank you Mom for making me learn to work! Now if only I can pass that on to my spoiled, precious babies. Haha!

Hallie Visits!

Hallie visits Mason and Connley for the day

Snowball fights for hours at the church

Break to snack (notice mud on each face)

Reading before bed...their idea! 

Finally worn out 

Cousins = best friends.

Sure missed Chloe, next time all four girls!

Grandma agrees

Wow!! I thought it was McCoy until I read your blog. I thought since Jeff and Kayla are in the movies, McCoy was doing his own thing with magazines. A question for Mark and Angie....is Mason old enough to do a trek? I thought they had to be 14?? Just asking as Rick was saying his grandkids didn't get to go until they turned 14. I don't want her to be disappointed.

McCoy the spanish model

 

McCoy is famous! The new spokesman for Spanish for Kids.

We saw this and could not believe the resemblence.

(The actual copy looks even more like him than this scanned copy)

watch my heart

Okay, Mark is among the living. I understand what he is talking about when he mentions work. Medicare and Medicaid are words we are hearing at work all the time these days. Since St. George is the home for many elderly people, 65% of our patients are Medicare and Medicare is cutting payments daily so Obamacare is making it difficult for hospitals to stay in business. I am glad that Mark, Angela and I work for a big corporation as I worry that small hospitals will not survive Obamacare. And with Mark working on his MBA, I remember when I was finishing up my Masters Degree, I thought I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am glad he is seeing some light in the end of the tunnel. Angela has carried the mantle high though and I love reading her blogs as well. I am the weather man for St. George...today it is going to be 72 degrees here and beautiful sunshine. I am so excited and plan to walk later in the day. Rick has been out cutting palm tree branches down and I am baking chocolate chip cookies. Then he took a walk and I am blogging. I have to wait for it to get warmer before I truly enjoy the walk. He will walk again with me later today so he can walk off the chocolate chip cookies. Michael told me just yesterday he was going to blog last night but I don't see anything here...I believe he might be technologically challenged. Sherri and family are missing this good weather as they are staying at Rick's this weekend for Kam Bam to do a cheerleading tournament. I am sorry she has to spend the weekend in snow and cold. I will update you on her family since she has been busy and hasn't blogged for us. Hallie is hoping to see Mason and Connley while they are up north. It is difficult for cousins to live so far apart. McKenna continues her missionary prep classes. She will turn her papers in this month. Rick's grandson, Jake, will finish his senior year this next year and then he will leave shortly thereafter. We suspect we will be gone on our mission when that happens. Can you believe it? Just like Mark says, it happens so fast. My work has sooooooooo improved now that I have hired an ED manager and a Trauma Coordinator. I am so happy. I still work long days with 5 year strategic plans and annual goals, and budgets all coming due, but it is so much less pressure and less than it was the past 6 months. I am grateful that the Lord gave me the energy and mental capacity to hold myself together to do it all these past 6 months wearing 3 hats. And that Rick hung in with me when I didn't think I could do another thing. Well, I, like Jeff, am very grateful for life. As I get older, I realize how quickly it goes. I hope I have many years left to enjoy this life, but if not, I have had a wonderful life and am sure glad for every day I have had. What a ride it has been with each of you. A little too wild at times!! I couldn't ask for more. Love, Mom and Grandma